The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009, proposes a raft of measures aimed at reforming the way in which student income support is rolled out, based on recommendations from the Bradley Review.

Australia's thriving international education sector has come under local and international media scrutiny over the past few months, following a series of reports surrounding violent attacks against Indian students. This follows calls for better assistance and support for international students that have fallen on the deaf ears of successive governments and opposition parties.

The Government must release the economic modelling it has relied upon when formulating its changes to Youth Allowance, according to the Greens Education Spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

"The Government has been more than happy to sell the winners of these reforms, but when it comes to talking about those who are going to miss out, they are reluctant to tell the whole story."

"How can the Government continue to claim its youth allowance package is budget neutral, when it says it doesn't have detailed modelling at its disposal?"

It's time for the Federal Government to recognise the importance of international education to Australia's economy and image overseas by creating a parliamentary secretary to deal with the sector, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Education, welcomed yesterday's meeting of the Ministerial Council on Tertiary Education, which agreed to establish a new quality council next year to oversee standards in international education.

Senator Hanson-Young -At which university?

Ms Sizer -Uni SA, city east campus.

Senator Hanson-Young -We heard from the state department of education before you presented as to the percentage of school leavers from rural and regional areas who go on to university. About 40 per cent of those who have gained access take up the offer. Do you have similar figures in terms of students who finish years 11 or 12 and are going into TAFE courses whether in the regions themselves or having to come to Adelaide.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called for a parliamentary secretary role to be created to take responsibility for the international education sector. The Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee’s Inquiry into the Welfare of International Students, established by Senator Hanson-Young in June, is holding its final hearing today in Canberra, following hearings in Melbourne and Sydney last month.

Senator Hanson Young -I have a question that follows on from that, and I apologise if you have already answered it. In relation to the idea of some type of body, one-stop shop, commission, ombudsman or whatever, given the international student sector is our third largest export, do you think that there could be a role for a parliamentary secretary who works with the education minister?

Senator Hanson Young  -I thank both of you for coming along. I know that Universities Australia has been quite vocal on this issue of late. It is important for us to recognise that things are being done, as you have outlined, that relate directly to the immediate concerns that have been raised publicly in relation to international students. Having said that, I still think that we have a long way to go.

Senator Hanson Young -It must be a bit strange for you to sit on that side of the table on this occasion, but thank you very much, Andrew, for coming in. Your submission sums up a lot of the key issues that have come out throughout the inquiry. I have two questions in particular. There is recommendation 1 around the need for further scrutiny and review of the education agents who operate offshore.